Lamprey River Elementary School News

Lamprey River Elementary School Principal Dan LeGallo started his educational career in Raymond almost two decades ago, and worked his way up the school administrative ladder. Now he is moving on, leaving at the end of the school year to become Superintendent of SAU (School Administrative Unit) 18, covering the towns of Franklin and Hill. That SAU includes four schools - two elementary, one middle and one high school.

"I've been looking for the last three years," LeGallo said. "This opening at SAU 18 met what I was looking for and is the first one I have applied for. I am very proud that I got the appointment."

Timothy Dow Sr., chairman of the Franklin/Hill SAU 18 School Board, said LeGallo’s selection followed a nationwide search. Out of the three finalists, he said, it was LeGallo’s "common sense, and practical, down-to-earth presence" that was seen by the selection committee as part of the leadership qualities that "would make an impact in the community and with students and staff."

"SAU 18 has good people willing to work with dedication and sincere interest in kids,” LeGallo said. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, School Board and community to continue to move SAU 18 in the positive direction already established.”

He begins work at his new post on July 1.

LeGallo earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1991 and received his Math Teacher certification from Franklin Pierce College in 1996. He has been involved in education for 18 years, all in Raymond, where he served as a teacher, basketball coach, class advisor, curriculum director, assistant principal and principal.

He and his wife, Maureen, live in Manchester with their three elementary school age children. He said his wife teaches in Bedford and his children attend Manchester schools. “The trip to Franklin takes 45 minutes so we won't be moving," he said.

LeGallo started out teaching seventh and eighth grades at Iber Holmes Gove Middle School in Raymond, then became the District Mathematics Curriculum Director, a post in which he also taught half time at Raymond High School. He then worked as Assistant Principal at Lamprey River Elementary for four years before becoming the school's principal, a position he has held for the last five years.

Over the years LeGallo has added to his education, receiving his CAGS (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies) in 2012 with a certification in Leadership and Learning, and earning his Superintendent certification. In addition he has taught graduate education classes at Southern New Hampshire University as an adjunct faculty member.

Looking back over his time in Raymond he said he had so many wonderful memories that it was difficult to point to the most outstanding. He said celebrating and working with the students from kindergarten to graduation has been the most important part of his work, and added that bringing public kindergarten to Raymond was a big moment. He also pointed to collaborating with Walmart for writing and reading challenges.

"It has been wonderful watching the enrichment growing and improving every year due to the great staff," he said. "The success I enjoyed coaching girls’ basketball at the middle school and the JVs at Raymond High School are among my most outstanding memories. But I think the biggest challenge has been being able to navigate through Federal and State mandates governing schools over the last nine years and being able to hold it together and to be successful. The changes involved in these mandates have been huge. The biggest change that I have seen in the Raymond educational community is the change to focus on data, to analyze and use it."

While he is looking forward to the next step in his educational journey, he is filled with nostalgia about his years in Raymond.

"I can't thank the community, the parents, staff, teachers and students enough for the 18 fantastic years I have enjoyed here in Raymond," he said. " I was given such wonderful opportunities in Raymond because of the openness of the community, and it is very difficult to leave. However, even though I am leaving, I am not saying that I won't be back."

Raymond School Board Members

John H. Harmon
J.harmon@sau33.com

Joe Saulnier
j.saulnier@sau33.com

Janice Arsenault
j.arsenault@sau33.com

Michelle Couture
m.couture@sau33.com

Jaclyn Sirrine
j.sirrine@sau33.com

To email the entire Board: schoolboard@sau33.com.

Emails sent to more than one Board Member may be subject to disclosure under the NH Right to Know laws.

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive!"
~ Sir Walter Scott ~

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